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The Saddest Music in the World

2003·Movie
1h 40min·R
75
GreatGoodWatch score

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The Saddest Music in the World fingerprint

Very funny, stunning style.

Energy

Spectacular

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Spectacle7
  • Tension4
  • Fast Pace4

Heart

Profoundly sad and moving

  • Melancholy10
  • Pathos7
  • Nostalgia7

Humor

Plenty of absurdist humor and dark humor

  • Absurdist Humor9
  • Dark Humor9
  • Wit & Wordplay7

World

History and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • Novelty9
  • World Immersion8
  • Rewatchability8

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and dialogue

  • Direction9
  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8

Style

Standout cinematography, visual style, and editing

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Cinematography10
  • Visual Stylization10
  • Music Centrality10

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

"If you're sad, and like beer, I'm your lady."

In Depression-era Winnipeg, a legless beer baroness hosts a contest for the saddest music in the world, offering a grand prize of $25,000.
Absurdist Black ComedyPeriod DramaMusical Dark FantasyVisually StylizedQuirky & PeculiarMelancholicSatiricalNostalgic AestheticUnique FilmmakingArt-House

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Saddest Music in the World

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Saddest Music in the World legally?

The Saddest Music in the World is included with a subscription to Philo, AMC+, and Sundance Now in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Saddest Music in the World worth watching?

75
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 76/100 (IMDb 7, Rotten Tomatoes 79%, and Metacritic 78). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Saddest Music in the World rated?

R

It's rated R in the United States.

How long is The Saddest Music in the World?

1 h 40 min

The Saddest Music in the World runs 1 h 40 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Saddest Music in the World?

Critics79
Audiences75

Yes. Critics average 79 and audiences 75 out of 100, so both groups see The Saddest Music in the World much the same way.

What language is The Saddest Music in the World in?

EnglishSpanish

It was made in English, with some Spanish. Produced in Canada.

In how many countries can I watch The Saddest Music in the World?

8CADKFIFRMCNOSEUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Saddest Music in the World in 8 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Saddest Music in the World use?

Time-Compression MontageDeliberately MonochromeCrystal BallConvection, SchmonvectionMissing MomStill Wearing the Old ColorsMotifsGlobal IgnoranceCombat CommentatorSoft WaterRetrauxEmpty Shelland 11 more

TV Tropes lists 23 storytelling tropes for The Saddest Music in the World, including Time-Compression Montage, Deliberately Monochrome, Crystal Ball.